Bundle Hook Inversion for Finisher Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatus finishers often experience sheet jams due to the bundle hook returning to its home position after discharging sheet bundles, as it can collide with stacked sheets, leading to errors and jams.
Innovation Solution
A finisher and image forming apparatus design that includes a bundle hook capable of moving in both directions, a drive unit to control the bundle hook's movement, a discharge unit to manage sheet bundles, and a control unit to reverse the bundle hook's direction upon completing discharge, preventing it from engaging with the sheet bundle upon return to the home position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the bundle hook continues to drive in one direction and returns to the home position, then the sheet bundle can be discharged, but the bundle hook collides with stacked sheets or sheet bundles causing sheet jams and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The bundle hook is made to move in the opposite direction (reverse direction) after discharging the sheet bundle, instead of continuing in the same direction and returning to the home position. This inversion of the return path prevents the bundle hook from colliding with stacked sheets or sheet bundles at the home position, thereby eliminating sheet jams while maintaining discharge functionality
2Reliability
If the bundle hook moves bidirectionally under control unit management, then collision with stacked sheets is prevented, but the drive system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the discharge process and provides feedback control for the bundle hook's bidirectional movement. When the sheet bundle is discharged, the control unit receives feedback and automatically commands the drive unit to reverse the bundle hook's direction, preventing collision with stacked sheets. This feedback mechanism automates the bidirectional control, reducing the perceived complexity for the operator
Data Source
AI summary
A finisher includes a bundle hook configured to push a sheet bundle in a first direction and convey the sheet bundle; a drive unit configured to drive the bundle hook in the first direction and a second direction; a discharge unit configured to discharge the sheet bundle conveyed by the bundle hook; a stacking unit configured to stack the sheet bundle discharged by the discharge unit; and a control unit configured to control the drive unit to drive the bundle hook in the second direction if the drive unit drives the bundle hook in the first direction and the discharge unit discharges the sheet bundle.